Waikato property boom pushes builder demand

Waikato's booming property market is calling out for more building apprentices to keep pace with demand.

While the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation has about 6000 people training in carpentry across the country, the industry needs at least another 3000 to meet demand.

Wintec carpentry student Manu Fisi'ihoi, 25, began his training about two months ago because he knew there was an appetite for new builders (watch a video on Manu's journey here).

He had been working in retail in Auckland, but wanted to work with his hands.

Fisi'ihoi moved back to Hamilton for the free 26-week level 4 course.

"At first that was the mindset, there's going to be good money in it," Fisi'ihoi said.

"There's more builders needed in New Zealand, that was my first intention of why I wanted to do building.

"Now I'm just really enjoying the work, being able to make something, from something plain into something really beautiful.

"I'm hoping that it takes me and my wife places."

The best part about the course has been connecting with other students, he said.

"There's so much mixed culture in here.

"We've decided to put up a basketball hoop and we play basketball in our break time. I never thought I would connect with these younger guys, some are 18, some are 16."

Fisi'ihoi is one of 20 Maori, Pasifika Trade Training students.

Tutor Gene Cooper said once the students get out into the work force and into an apprenticeship it is only practical, no theory work.

The construction boom was not slowing and students could almost guarantee employment, he said.

The desire to own a home in Waikato has increased since Aucklands property market skyrocketed, pushing buyers south.

Waikato's construction industry is forecast to increase by 4 per cent over the next three years, figures from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment show.

Consenting facts:

• Waikato had one of the biggest rises in building consents for new dwellings in March, up 26 per cent to 276.
• This follows on from a strong year in 2015.
• Waikato consents for the year topped 3000 - a slight dip from the year to November 2015, when a record of 3040 houses were consented.
• The number of consents in Hamilton was 1188 - up 60 per cent. Waikato District approved 570 houses and the Waipa District approved 468.